Gore retracts concession call

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000 | 2:01 a.m.

"He called an hour ago to concede. He just called us back to retract that concession," said Karen Hughes, communications director for Bush. "It's unbelievable."

That was an apt description of the seesawing election night. At one point, the key state of Florida was teetering toward Bush and the TV networks called the race in Bush's favor. Gore picked up the telephone and called Bush.

"We gave them a cliffhanger," the vice president told Bush, according to Hughes.

Bush replied, "You're a formidable opponent and a good man. I know it's hard. I know it's hard for your family. Give my best to Tipper and your children."

Thousands of supporters stood in the streets of Nashville, Tenn., where Gore was headquartered, and Austin, Texas, Bush's home - awaiting word from their favorite sons.

Shortly after 4 a.m. EST, spokesmen for both the Bush and Gore campaigns emerged to speak to die-hard supporters braving rainy weather in both cities. Both spokesmen said the race was too close to call.

"This race has come down to the state of Florida," said Gore campaign manager Bill Daley. "Our campaign continues."

Bush spokesman Don Evans acknowledged that votes were still being counted in Florida, but said: "I'm confident, when it's all said and done, we will prevail."

Gore chief strategist Carter Eskew, standing in the street after the vice president's motorcade sped away, said Gore decided to retract his concession to Bush because "there was a significant change in a half an hour of a vote that went from 50,000 to 600," a reference to Bush's shrinking margin in Florida.

"He called once to concede and when the situation changed he called him back," Eskew said. "This race is not over."

On the drizzly sidewalk, brother-in-law Frank Hunger, asked about Gore's disposition, would say only, "He's fine."